Grit Warratz

Grit Warratz
Telefon: +49 421 218 - 99499
Fax: +49 421 218 - 65219
E-Mail: warratz@uni-bremen.de

Adresse:
Fachbereich Geowissenschaften
Universität Bremen
GEO Gebäude, Raum 3620
Klagenfurter Straße
28359 Bremen


Wissenschaftliches Profil
I have a scientific background in Geology and Geosciences/Environment. During my studies at the University of Greifswald (Germany) I focused on regional Geology, Sedimentology and Clay-Mineralogy. My master thesis was an interdisciplinary subject including sedimentology of carbonates and (clay-) mineralogy with regard to the Stassfurt Carbonate of the Permian Zechstein in the area of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania. I especially investigated clay mineral composition and diagenetic processes and compared different facies of the northern Ca2 platform.
Within my PhD in Bremen, I am investigating contouritic depositional systems (CDS) and intersecting submarine (mid-slope) canyons in the South Atlantic with focus on the current dominated slope off Argentina/Uruguay. The architecture of the drift deposits is controlled by the interaction of ocean currents whose strengths and boundaries are forced by variations in climate and sea level in addition to local factors such as sediment supply and bottom topography. The relative impacts of these forces on depositional geometries will be assessed.

Why study submarine canyons?
There is a general lack of understanding as how these canyons are major player shaping continental margin and guiding sediments from the shallow to deep water marine systems. Decoding the interaction between contour currents and canyon deposition requires more integrated research if canyon floor sediments are to be used as a paleoceanographic archive.
As a main part of this study, I am evaluating the sediments delivered to Mar del Plata Canyon (off Argentina) during the last 20 ka. Since the canyon head is situated at a mid-slope position, it is well suited to study all intermediate and deep water masses shaping the continental slope off Argentina. The received information can be used to improve the basic understanding of submarine canyons as a sink and to investigate the interplay of paleoceanographic variations.

Wissenschaftliche Interessen
Marine Geologie, Sedimentologie and Paläozeanograpie:- investigation of along- and downslope sedimentation processes
- X-ray fluorescence
- Grain-size analysis (especially silt-analysis as a paleocurrent proxy)
- Clay mineral analysis

Expeditionen
RV POSEIDON, March 2015: CADISED – Locally defined transgressive and highstand sediment depocentres in the Gulf of Cadiz: reconstruction of formation history and environmental changes.


Marum

Intercoast

IODP

MarTech

AWI

British Antarctic

British Antarctic

British Antarctic

British Antarctic

British Antarctic

Stud.IP



Universität Bremen Fachgebiet Sedimentologie – Paläozeanographie
Fachbereich Geowissenschaften | FB5